The company is voluntarily recalling the “detachable foam facial interfaces” for the devices – a piece that sits around a user’s eyes and nose and acts as a cushion between the headset and their face – after more than 5,000 users reported causing skin irritation caused and, according to the CPSC, 45 users needed medical attention. The reactions included rashes, swelling, burning, itching and hives, the agency said Facebook (FB) – CPSC is not listing any other product recalls for the company. While Facebook is still primarily viewed as a software company, Oculus headsets are an important part of its efforts to promote virtual reality technology. In addition to headsets, Facebook has spent years refining controllers for VR and getting content makers to create games and other experiences for them. “As more and more people came into VR with Quest 2, we received reports that a very small percentage of Quest 2 customers experienced skin irritation after using the removable foam facial interface,” said Andrew Bosworth, director of Facebook Reality Labs. in an open letter to Oculus users on Tuesday.
With the Quest 2 headsets, Facebook presented a smaller and cheaper version of its predecessor in September. The company first said in a blog post in December that a small percentage of users experienced skin problems after using the device and announced it would investigate.
In April, the company released an update stating that its investigation “did not reveal any contamination or unexpected substances in our manufacturing process” but that “it identified some trace substances that are normally present in the manufacturing process and that could contribute to skin discomfort”. , and while these were already below industry standards, we cautiously changed our process to reduce them even further. “
The foam inserts for the face are included with the purchase of an Oculus Quest 2 headset, which costs anywhere from $ 300 to $ 400, depending on the storage option. The insoles can also be bought individually or in a “Fit Pack”.
Instead of sending something back to the company, customers can request a free silicone case on Facebook that fits over the foam face interface. The company is also temporarily suspending sales of the Quest 2 headsets for several weeks so it can start putting the silicone case in the box when it is shipped to customers.
“The team and I are committed to ensuring the quality of our products and the continued support and success of our developer community, with your safety and comfort a top priority,” said Bosworth on Tuesday. “The free silicone case is part of that commitment.”
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